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FDA holds public meeting on Bisphenol A |
By Jenna Crisostomo - 10.03.2008
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ROCKVILLE, Md.--The BPA Subcommittee from the Food and Drug Adminstration's Science Board held a public meeting to discuss the agency's draft assessment of the safety of bisphenol-A's (BPA) utilization in food contact applications on Sept. 16.
Solicited information was given to the 200 attendees, noted Michael Herndon, press officer for the FDA Press Office, and 24 people had the opportunity to speak at the hearing.
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The FDA's draft assessment stated that a sufficient scope of safety is in place for current-level BPA exposure concerning usage in food contact. "Considering all the evidence, including measurements by FDA chemists and numerous other laboratories on BPA levels found in canned foods or migrating from baby bottles, FDA sees no reason at this time to ban or otherwise restrict the currently authorized uses," said Herndon.
With the FDA reviewing BPA's safety since March 2007, and the BPA Subcommittee formalized in June by FDA Science Board Chair, Barbara J. McNeil, head of Healthcare Policy at Harvard Medical School, Herndon said, however, "during the week of April 14, upon the request of the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, FDA formed an agency-wide BPA task force to facilitate cross-agency review of the issues raised by the National Toxicology Program and Canadian reports on BPA and to update the Agency's previous exposure assessment.
"To ensure the safety of all FDA regulated products, the task force is considering all such products that may contain BPA," added Herndon.
Used in the manufacturing for food-contact applications of two types of polymers--polycarbonate (PC) and epoxy-based enamels, coatings--BPA "is present at very low levels in the finished food contact materials," said Herndon. Food processing equipment uses PC polymers, he added, including reusable water and infant baby bottles, and popcorn makers. Epoxy-coated polymers are used in beverage products--such as infant formula-holding cans--and cans that comprise a selection of canned food.
Herndon noted that it's "too soon to say" what the hearing will do for the specialty food industry. Findings from the BPA Subcommittee hearing will be delivered to the Science Board at their annual meeting on Oct. 31.
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